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Retroviruses
going all out retro...
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Undergraduate 4
04/10/2010

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Term
Why go retro?
Definition
establish and maintain stable associations with their host = great survival advantage and long term
Term
What unique enzyme makes the virus a "retro virus"?
Definition
The Reverse transcriptase!
-->Appears to have the RNaseH as a 2nd function (yet to be confirmed)
Term
Three main retro virus groups
Definition
oncornaviruses, lentiviruses, spumaviruses
Term
What is the integrated cDNA called
Definition
Provirus
Term
Retroviruses modify/disrupt almost nothing about the host cell... what implications does that have on the cells ability to counteract virus?
Definition
There practically no ways for the cell to evolve methods of countering the expersion of the viral genes because that would involve changing a function of their own (plus there is no detection anyways)
Term
Retrovirus structure basics
Definition
(+) ss RNA (diploid)
Enveloped
Virus capsid (GAG)
Three extremely important enzymes:
-Reverse transcriptase
-Protease
-Integrase
Term
Describe the genomic RNA of retroviruses - why is it that way?
Definition
It is a capped and polyadenylated mRNA! (~10kb)
This is because the copy was made off of the integrated provirus
Term
All retroviruses have 3 essential genes and untranslated regions.... describe
Definition
5'cap: R : U5 : Leader : Gal-pol : int : env : (PPT) : U3 : R : PolA(n)

U=unique region
R=repeated at both ends
Term
Reverse transcription of the RNA into DNA is complex, so learn the key concepts:
Definition
Starts at PBS (primer binding site) because DNA polymerases NEED a primer! The combined work of RT and its RNaseH function create a dsDNA out of a ssRNA.
The mix of U3/R/U5 creates the LTR eukaryotic "promoter".
Term
Human T-cell leukemia (HTLV)
Definition
complex retrovirus containing extra genes; tax and rex, that are responsible for stimulating cell division and metabolic effects = growth ==> leads to cancer!
Term
Entry steps: Basic
Definition
Receptor-mediated endocytosis (CD4 + co-receptor)
Partial uncoating and exposure of capsid
RT begins
Term
Entry : specfics
Definition
EX. HIVgp120 binds CD4 and conformation change occurs exposing co-receptor binding domains. Binding of co-receptor causes 2nd confirmation change = contact with host cell membrane and "twist" causing the fusion
Term
oncornavirus entry into nucleus
Definition
Requires cell division (ex HTLV)
Term
Lentivirus entry into nucleus
Definition
Does not require cell division to take place because of a unique characteristic that enables cDNA passage into the nucleus (integrase + others)
->the fact that the cDNA can be inserted into non-dividing cells makes them more pathogenic!
Term
The LTR
Definition
Long terminal repeat
=both promoter and polyadenylation/stop signal
-can also act as enhancer
Term
Because HIV can infect non-dividing cells it can infect these cells:
Definition
macrophages, including microglial cells in the brain and can cause neurological disease.
Term
What 6 accessory genes are encoded by HIV
Definition
vif, vpr, tat, rev, vpu, nef
Term
Why can you not block the binding of HIV to CD4 with ABs?
Definition
The binding is occurring in a a site too small for most Ab's to bind or block, furthermore, the secondary binding of the co-receptor is a VERY brief moment and cannot be "tagged"
Term
How can the HIV protect its self against cytidine deamination from APOBEC?
Definition
The vif protein can tag the APOBEC proteins for degradation (ubiqitination) in the cytosol
Term
What does TAT protein do?
Definition
The mRNA from the provirus (insert cDNA) contains secondary structure and cannot be translated at full force. THe TAT unfolds the RNA and increases the translation 100 fold.
Term
Second TAT function
Definition
Promote transfer of protein through the cytosolic membrane (can be used for drug import into cells!)
Term
Rev protein function
Definition
transports vmRNA out of the nucleus and then comes back (NLS). This is a level of control b/c the mRNA's cannot leave the nucleus without this rev, therefore, until rev is made, the mRNA's are not translated.
Term
vpr function
Definition
enhance LTR activity and arrests the cell in G2 phase (this is the best phase for transcription)
Term
nef function
Definition
downregulates host cell's CD4 expression and MHC-1 to evade immune system.
Term
people who are resistant to AIDS
Definition
may have a homozygous deletion in their co-receptor such that the HIV cannot undergo the changes necessary to enter the cell! v. late AIDS - heterozygotes = v. delayed AIDS
Term
Acute phase infection of HIV
Definition
HIV replicates in high levels in blood and lymphoid organs. A majority of intestinal mucosal CD4 cells are distroyed! (~half the Thelper cells in body!)
-->then into clinical latency
Term
Clinical Latency of HIV
Definition
This is the stage where the immune system has suppressed the system enough that the viral replication is maintained at a "set point" = low set point means a longer life exp. (before AIDS)
-CD4 cells are still dying and some CD8 cells too
-HIV is becoming selectively more virulent
Term
AIDS
Definition
defined by a CD$ count of less than 200/microliter (normal = 1000/microliter)
Term
How does intracellular defense mechanism APOBEC lead to hypermutaion of the HIV1 genome?
Definition
The C's get deaminated and upon transcription to DNA, the regular G would be replaced with T = hypermutation
-->HIV defense = vif
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